It’s been a case of history repeating itself, as Victorian Beef Shorthorn stud, Morningtime, Spring Hill, taking out the top ribbons at both the Melbourne and Sydney Royal Shows.
In Melbourne, Morningtime Nara, born in May, 2015, took out the Junior, Grand Champion Bull and Supreme Champion Beef Shorthorn ribbons, while Morningtime Kiribati’s Blossom 2 was sashed Junior Champion Heifer and Grand Champion female.
Morningtime’s David Ashley said the Melbourne result reflected that in Sydney, where Nara won Junior Champion bull, Grand Champion bull and Best Exhibit. Blossom also won Grand Champion and Junior Champion female, in Sydney.
“The bull beat the heifer in Sydney, and beat her again here,” Mr Ashley said.
“There is very, very little between them, they are by the same sire and the same type of cattle, they are medium frame, and thick.”
Nara recorded figures of a weight of 674kilograms, and an eye muscle area (EMA) of 96 square centimetres.
He was sired by Morningtime Kirabati, out of Morningtime Blossom 17 by Udor.
“He’s only sixteen months, I don’t like showing them too much, I might show him once more, then he will go to a new home,” Mr Ashley said.
Judge Peter Collins, principal of Merridale Angus stud, Tennyson, Victoria, said he chose Nara because of his softness and natural thickness.
“His movement around the ring was exceptional, but he had that softness and thickness he carried with it, and a lot of natural attributes, you want in any beef breed, this bull has got,” Mr Collins said.
Morningtime also took out the Grand Champion Female title with Kiribati’s Blossom 2.
A March, 2015 drop heifer, Blossom was sired by Morningtime Kirabati, out of Morningtime Soldier’s Blossom 26.
Mr Collins described Blossom as “an exceptional young female.
“I like my females to be feminine enough, but to carry enough thickness and softness, and she carries both,” Mr Collins said
“She is feminine in the front end, which tells me she is going to breed, she is going to milk,” Mr Collins said.
“She had a nice udder but she still carries a wedge shape, and has that thickness through the shoulders, right through the hindquarter.
“And when she walks, she flows out, she shows herself off, and I think she will make a wonderful cow.”
Reserve junior champion heifer: Scott Bruton, Roly Park: Roly Park Lassie, September 25, 2015, sire Spencer Family Archer, dam, Roly Park Jessie.
Senior champion cow: L & C Shannon, Glenmount: Glenmount Chantilly Lace, 31 January 31, 2015, Sire: Morningtime Jabiru 2, Dam: Hesket Jackaroos Lass.
Reserve junior champion bull: Scott Bruton, Roly Park: Roly Park Limbo, September 17, 2015, Sire: Spencer Family Archer, Dam: Roly Park Kim.
